COMP SCI/SFWR ENG 4/6E03 – Performance Analysis of Computer Systems

Instructor: Douglas Down

Office: ITB 216

Telephone: x-24054

e-mail: downd@mcmaster.ca

Office Hours: (instructor) Monday, Thursday 2:30-4:30

Lectures: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 5:30 (ABB/271)

Tutorials: Friday 9:30 (ETB/235)

TA contact: Aysan Rasooli (rasooa@mcmaster.ca)

Mission: The mission of this course is to teach students how to use mathematical modelling and simulation to estimate quantitative aspects of a computer system's behaviour. They should also learn how modelling results can guide them in the selection of a computer system's hardware and the design of the software. The course should provide students with experience in studying a proposed design and producing a model, deciding whether there are explicit symbolic solutions to the problem or whether simulation should be used. Students should be able to evaluate the effect of using simplified models so that solutions can be found.

Grading:

Test 1 - 22.5% (KTH 104 and KTH 109, 5:30-7:00, October 20^th)

Test 2 - 22.5% (MDCL/1110, 5:30-7:00, November 21^st)

Assignments 10%

Final exam (3 hours) 45%

There will be weekly assignments (11 in total), your assignment mark will consist of the best five of these. There will be no extensions for assignment due dates.

For those taking the course at the 600-level, there will be an extra project involving a detailed literature review in a an area to be mutually agreed upon. This will be done on an individual basis. The marking scheme for graduate students will be 15% for each of the tests, 10% for the assignments, 40% for the final exam and 20% for the project.

(The instructor reserves the right to conduct deferred examinations orally.)

Text: Performance Modeling and Design of Computer Systems, Mor Harchol-Balter.

Final Course coverage:

1. Text – Chapters 1-4, 6-8, 10, 12-16, 18-21

2. Additional lecture notes – Chapters 1, 3-6

3. CSIM

The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the
course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines
for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of
modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the
students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on
changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster
email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes.

Academic Dishonesty:

You are expected to exhibit honesty and use ethical behaviour in all aspects of the learning process. Academic credentials you earn are rooted in principles of honesty and academic integrity.

Academic dishonesty is to knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results or could result in unearned academic credit or advantage. This behaviour can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: “Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.

It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various types of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, located at http://www/mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

1. Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one’s own of for which other credit has been obtained.

2. Improper collaboration in group work.

3. Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.